Virginia Tech offensive line commit Jesse Hanson picked up a big offer yesterday: Clemson has played in the last three editions of the College Football Playoff, winning the 2016 national championship. It also happens to be the school where both his parents went.
However, according to one of those Clemson alumni - his father, Paul - Hokie fans don't have anything to worry about at this point.
"This looks good for Tech, actually; He’s solid with VT but this was the 'childhood dream' so he and we are still pleased to get it," Paul Hanson said. "It kind of puts a final bow on that part of his life."
There's almost a poetry to it: as he moves from boyhood into manhood, Hanson gets a final gesture from one of the important aspects of that youthful stage in his life, allowing him to put an end to it and enter the adult stage of his life.
Of course, the Tigers didn't issue an offer to the four-star as simply a measure for him to celebrate his coming-of-age tale. They did it because Hanson is a very good player, and they would like to steal his commitment away from Virginia Tech. While the Hansons aren't going to completely shut the door on Dabo Swinney and Co., they've made it known that his future is in Blacksburg.
"Based on the reasons he chose Tech, it would be awful hard for Clemson to flip him now," Paul Hanson said. "They admittedly started with a mile-long lead when all this started, but that disappeared a long time ago. He’s not actively pursuing Clemson but we’re certainly not burning any bridges just like I know Tech’s not doing with other offensive linemen. Crazy unforeseen things happen sometimes, right? As long as nothing bad comes up, I see no reason why his commitment won’t hold true to the end."
Will he visit Death Valley or otherwise give indication that he's not 100% to VT? That's not in the plans at this time. My personal expectation is that he'll at least take a trip, even if nothing comes of it, but that the family will not go out of their way to publicize it in any way. That can be more dangerous than a "just checking it out but they don't have a chance" public stance.
Still, I do expect that Hanson ends up a Hokie. I also expect that it comes with a couple more twists and turns than his father predicts at this time.
However, according to one of those Clemson alumni - his father, Paul - Hokie fans don't have anything to worry about at this point.
"This looks good for Tech, actually; He’s solid with VT but this was the 'childhood dream' so he and we are still pleased to get it," Paul Hanson said. "It kind of puts a final bow on that part of his life."
There's almost a poetry to it: as he moves from boyhood into manhood, Hanson gets a final gesture from one of the important aspects of that youthful stage in his life, allowing him to put an end to it and enter the adult stage of his life.
Of course, the Tigers didn't issue an offer to the four-star as simply a measure for him to celebrate his coming-of-age tale. They did it because Hanson is a very good player, and they would like to steal his commitment away from Virginia Tech. While the Hansons aren't going to completely shut the door on Dabo Swinney and Co., they've made it known that his future is in Blacksburg.
"Based on the reasons he chose Tech, it would be awful hard for Clemson to flip him now," Paul Hanson said. "They admittedly started with a mile-long lead when all this started, but that disappeared a long time ago. He’s not actively pursuing Clemson but we’re certainly not burning any bridges just like I know Tech’s not doing with other offensive linemen. Crazy unforeseen things happen sometimes, right? As long as nothing bad comes up, I see no reason why his commitment won’t hold true to the end."
Will he visit Death Valley or otherwise give indication that he's not 100% to VT? That's not in the plans at this time. My personal expectation is that he'll at least take a trip, even if nothing comes of it, but that the family will not go out of their way to publicize it in any way. That can be more dangerous than a "just checking it out but they don't have a chance" public stance.
Still, I do expect that Hanson ends up a Hokie. I also expect that it comes with a couple more twists and turns than his father predicts at this time.
